GROWING

Visually attractive mix of summer squash producing green, yellow and creamy pale-green, oval-shaped squash on bushy plants with an open habit and reduced-spined stems for easier harvesting. Fruits are less watery and have firmer flesh than many other squash and courgette varieties which means they lend themselves well to slicing and grilling. Their taste is also much richer than other varieties.Sow seed 2cm (¾in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots of good seed compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag and place at 21-25°C (70-77°F) until after germination which takes 5-7 days. Can also be sown direct outdoors from mid-May once the soil has warmed and risk of frost has passed, 2.5cm (1in) deep at 75cm (30in) apart in rows 75cm (30in) apart.Gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out after all risk of frost has passed, 75cm (30in) apart each way. Feed with potash fertiliser once fruiting begins. Water and pick fruits regularly to extend the harvesting season.SERVING SUGGESTION: For barbecues, stir fries, stuffing and baking.

A high-yielding semi leafless variety, needing no support when grown in a block. These floriferous pea plants produce heavy crops of crunchy, stringless 8cm (3in) pods over a long period if picked regularly to encourage further flower development. Sugar Lace consistently showed high resistance to Furarium wilt and intermediate resistance to powdery mildew in our trials. Use netting supports if grown in rows.Sow every 10 days to ensure successional crops. Sow 5cm (2in) deep in flat-bottomed drills spacing about 2.5-5cm (1-2in) apart, and in rows 75cm (30in) apart.Water plants regularly, especially when in flower as this will improve the crop. Pick the pods regularly once they are swollen with peas, eat pods whole or add to stir fried. Regular picking will encourage further flowering.

Excellent coloured and shaped, purple topped roots with fine grained, good flavoured, yellow flesh, free from bitterness. Swede Magres is an excellent culinary Swede, fully winter hardy, with mildew resistant foliage.Sowing Time: April to June. Sow seeds thinly, 1cm (1/2in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in well-drained, fertile soil, which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water ground regularly, especially in dry periods.Thin out seedlings at an early stage, to 1-15cm (4-6in) apart.Hoe regularly, taking care not to damage the roots and keep well watered. They are hardy and can be pulled as required from autumn to Christmas. After this lift and store in a pit like carrots or in boxes of damp sand. The young leaves also make tasty and nutritious spring greens.

18-20cm cobs which are protected by a tight husk. The cream-coloured cobs are not only delicious, but so juicy they are perfect to snack on straight from the plant like you would eat an apple! Good tip fill and vigorous plants.Sow in a propagator on a windowsill or one seed per 5cm (2in) pot in a greenhouse using a good quality compost. Cover seeds with 2.5cm (1in) of compost. Sow directly outside after last frost has passed, 2 seeds per station.Grow on carefully planting out when the risk of frost has passed, allowing 40cm (16in) between plants each way in a block pattern to aid pollination. Can also be sown directly outside, 2 seeds per station, thinning to the strongest seedling.